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Monday, November 23, 1987 / University Daily Kansan
Opinion
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Happy anniversary
It was one year ago that the Iran-contra affair broke
It was one year ago that the tran-conflict attorney of the congressional committee appointed to study the affair has ended its study.
In its report, released Wednesday, the committee concluded that it is uncertain whether Reagan knew of the diversion of money. The report did assert, however, that he did not ensure that the Constitution was enforced, which is his main duty as president of the United States.
Perhaps the report's release will mark the end of secret dealings in the Oval Office. Because of the scandal, it is imperative the president answer to his Cabinet, Congress and most important, the people in all his dealings.
in top-secret matters, the president understandably cannot report his actions to the public or even to Congress immediately. But his Cabinet or a congressional committee must be informed as soon as any action is taken. Furthermore, accurate, thorough documentation must be detailed for all covert activity.
The conclusion of the study signifies the end of another dirty government scandal. Once again, experience proves that secrecy is not effective in government.
Tax shelter
As a result of revisions in the federal tax code, which place a larger share of taxable income under state jurisdiction, Kansas will receive a $145 million revenue windfall next year.
Just what will happen to the money has been the subject of recent controversy. Gov. Mike Hayden, who promised during his campaign to return the money to taxpayers, would like to keep that pledge. But common sense dictates that the money be used to meet some urgent needs within the state.
Education is one such need. The National Education Association has begun lobbying to see that some of the money is used to increase teacher salaries, but the organization may face an unhill battle.
Kansas prisons also need additional financing. The prison population already greatly exceeds the capacity of the facilities, producing one of the worst situations of overcrowding in the country. And the number of inmates is expected to increase.
The state's highways are dilapidated and continue to deteriorate. Hayden himself thought that the problem was serious enough to require billions in appropriations, supported by additional taxes on gasoline. The problem remains, but the commitment to solve it has waned.
Let's set political promises aside and do what's best for Kansas. The money is desperately needed to address these problems immediately. Otherwise, they will plague us for years to come.
Paper chase
A journalist critical of the government is seized by police and thrown in jail, where he remains indefinitely without charges filed against him.
Is this the doing of the Soviet Union? Or Nicaragua? Or any other of The United States' supposed enemies?
other of the United States supplied No. The above scenario recently occurred in South Africa, our strongest ally on the African continent. The victim is Zwelakhe Sisulu, editor of the paper published by the South African Catholic Bishops Conference titled The New Nation. Sisulu is in detention based mainly on his activities with the paper, which has created conditions of unrest, according to police documents
The Pretoria government insists that there are no political prisoners in the country and that no journalists have been detained based on their professional activities. Meanwhile, Sisulu's appeal for release was denied by the Rand Supreme Court, and he was ordered to pay court costs.
Conspicuously silent on such developments is the United States, which considers itself the champion of freedom around the globe. Rights that we take for granted — freedom of speech and of the press, the right to a speedy trial and the right to travel freely, among others — are being completely ignored under the 17-month-old state of emergency.
Sisulu, who was not permitted to attend his own appeal hearing, is symbolic of the growing repression in South Africa, both of blacks and of all others who dare to speak out against repression.
Constructive engagement is a failure. It is time that the United States speak out in opposition to Pretoria's policies and let the people of that country know that we support not the oppressors but the oppressed.
Editorials in this column are the opinions of the editorial board.
News staff
Jennifer Benjamin ... Editor
Jul Warren ... Managing editor
John Benner ... News editor
Beth Copeland ... Editorial editor
Sally Streff ... Campaign editor
Brian Kubertline ... Sports editor
Dan Ruettimann ... Photo editor
Bill Skeet ... Graphics editor
Tom Eblen ... General manager, news adviser
Business staff
Bonnie J. Hardy...Business manager
Robert Hughes...Advertising manager
Kelly Scherer...Retail sales manager
Kurt Messersmith...Campus sales manager
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David Derftell...National sales manager
Angela Clark...Classified manager
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Jeanne Hines...Sales and marketing adviser
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JMBRGGMNUNCINNGATENCWCRHRM7M7
Senator calls for student action
For years, my colleagues in the Kansas Senate and House of Representatives have heard about the plight of our state universities from top administrators and faculty members. Legislators, however, do not easily separate the message from the messenger.
Public employees who ask for more money for their particular agency appear to be interested in merely feathering their own nests. Legislators have repeatedly asked, "If things are so terribly bad at the universities, then why don't we hear from the students?"
For too long, the 80,000-plus students in the Regents system have remained silent. Last year, however, the sleeping giant came to life. Students who visited the Statehouse on a regular basis.
There is no doubt that your efforts made the difference. Legislators who formerly hibernated during discussions about financing higher education listened to the "education consumers" and responded by allocating much-needed dollars to our schools.
Last year, however, we merely held off certain defeat. This year we will mount an offensive that should win the war. Without the students' help, we might as well wave the white flag.
The Margin of Excellence is the Board of Regents three-year plan to raise the budgets of our state universities to a competitive level with our peers. Without this money, our schools will drift off into medicinity. Kansas will not rise to the competitive challenge of the new international economy where wits and brainpower prevail.
You know the problems that exist at the University of Kansas — you live with them every day. You have told me that the classes you need are often canceled or closed long before you enroll and that the classes that you do get into are overcrowded. Your favorite instructors are leaving the school because of inadequate salaries and poor working conditions.
There is one cause of all these problems: The University is simply not adequately financed.
Things are going to have to change. But believe me, the only people who can make them change are the students. Only you can really tell the story of what's happening at KU. A stack of statistics can't express the frustration, disappointment and anger you feel.
Legislators can all too easily ignore 100-page reports with colored charts and graphs. They can't ignore frustrated and aggravated consumers who demand action. Elected officials respond to real people who express real concerns. That's the bottom line.
The Higher Education Rescue Operation, H.E.R.O., is a grassroots student lobby campaign aimed at building support for the Margin of Excellence proposal. This grassroots effort will absolutely make the difference in whether or not more money is provided for our universities.
Over the years, I have seen the dramatic impact that such campaigns have had. Legislators are swept up in the momentum these campaigns build for a particular piece of legislation.
This is one time when you cannot say "I don't matter. I can't make a difference." Nothing could be further from the truth. Only you can make things happen. Your letters to the governor will lead to his support for the Margin of Excellence. Yours and your parents' letters, phone calls and personal visits with your local legislator and your hometown newspaper's editor endorsing the Margin of Excellence will translate into "yes" votes on the floor of the Legislature.
I can guarantee that the Regents and university administrators will do all they can to see that the Margin of Excellence is adopted. The members of the Douglas County delegation will do all we can to get votes for the plan. But it will be futile if you don't get involved.
You have a vested interest in the future of higher education in the state of Kansas. You have the power to make sure that that future is bright. Make your voices heard. It will make the differ-
Wint Winter Jr. is a state senator from Douglas County
K·A·N·S·A·N
MAILBOX
Racist term
I would like to express my opinion on certain dexterous uses of words that indicate racism. In fact, using the word "black" in regard to the Wall Street incident of the stock market, nicknamed Black Monday, beats my imagination.
I cannot believe that in this generation "black" should be used to describe record-low stock market trading. I think the world is so educated that the word "black" should not be attributed to bad things.
Any dictionary which explains black as an adjective to describe such things as the stock exchange, expatriate and so on.
find out if there is any scientific or economic concept which gives evidence to justify the application. It is rather the same old racist terminology that connects "black" with bad or evil things.
I have done research based on empirical findings on nature and her principles. I have found "black" to be connected with good things: treasure, richness, health, protection and mystery. Why can't we face the truth and reality rather than deceiving our generation. This is the same decept that propagated racism.
Those who used "black" to describe the stock market incident were using it pejoratively not only directly to the incident, but indirectly to the black people. The world has heard enough of such unsavory and ungrateful names as Black Monday. It was foolish, but they were not fools.
Black as a color is protective and accommodating. The black race, going back to Africa, has been a friendly and hospitable one which has been ruined today because of its openness.
They knew what they did by using that word in a civilized world.
Rex N.D. Darlington, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands,
She cares
In the past, the Kansan has dealt extensively with discrimination against minorities. I was not pleased when the editorial board chose to discriminate against half of the human race by using sexist language in an editorial on Thursday.
Please refer to the guide on non-exist language that is available at the English department. It is not appropriate to use the words 'he, his or him' when you are referring to 'they, theirs or them.' Maybe you don't think this is an important issue.
She does.
Katie Stolz, Lawrence junior
katz
WHO'S GONNA ASK HIM?
k. l. thorman
BLOOM COUNTY
by Berke Breathed